Journal of Arts and Humanities | 2019
Rebab (A Musical Instrument) in Bali Art Performance
Abstract
This study is aimed at knowing and understanding the existence of rebab as a musical instrument in Bali art performance. The reason of conducting this study is that the imbalance concept between assumptions and reality occurred in the field. On the other hand, as one of gamelan musical instruments in Bali, rebab which is a unique instrument and can soften the played music has to be concerned and treated the same in Bali art performance. Unfortunately, it is recently neglected. The question is that why is this instrument getting rid of in Bali art performance. How is its implication in Bali art performance in this global era? This study is an ethnography study which type and source of data consist of primary and secondary data which are collected from participatory observation, in-depth interview, and FGD (Focus Group Discussion). All of the data obtained were analyzed using the theory of aesthetic, practical, and structural functional. In this study, it is found that rebab recently lacks of its part in Bali art performance because its function is assumed as the secondary instrument or as a supplementary musical instrument which role can be neglected. Moreover, the technique of playing rebab is quite difficult causing many young artists are barely interested in learning the technique of playing it and developing rebab -based song. As a result, the neglected rebab as the musical instrument in Bali art performance has indirectly led to identity loss, lack of media of ethnic musical creativity, and local culture impoverishment in this global era.